The role of identification and loneliness in parasocial relationships with Harry Potter and the effect of parasocial breakup with JK Rowling on wellbeing

The current study explored parasocial phenomena within the context of JK Rowling, the Harry Potter series, and Harry Potter characters. The study investigated the effect of identification and loneliness on parasocial relationships (PSR) and the effect of parasocial breakup (PSB) with JK Rowling on wellbeing. The effect of PSB with Jk Rowling on fan’s relationships with the Harry Potter series was also investigated. The term parasocial relationship refers to a one-sided relationship between a media consumer and a media figure (Liebers & Schramm, 2017). The Harry Potter series allows extensive opportunity for engagement with its characters which allows for the formation and strengthening of a PSR through repeated exposure. Harry Potter fans have been found to be more politically tolerant and active than those who are not fans (Gierzynski & Eddy, 2013), which demonstrates the impact of the series. This is of importance to the PSB section of this study due to the potential cause of PSB being a result of controversial statements made by JK Rowling (the author of the series). A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was applied. The participants (N=65) completed a survey where they completed questionnaires assessing parasocial relationships, identification, loneliness, parasocial breakup, and wellbeing. They also answered open questions regarding their feelings about Harry Potter and JK Rowling (“how would you describe your feelings towards Harry Potter?” and “how would you describe your feelings towards JK Rowling?”). Results indicated that there was no association between loneliness and PSR but a significant and positive association between identification and PSR. Furthermore, PSB displayed a significant and negative association with wellbeing, however, PSB was not a significant predictor of wellbeing. Most fans in the current study reported that they no longer engage with theseries but feel nostalgic for the period before it became tainted for them. The findings of the study suggest that individuals intellectually and emotionally engage with media but do not do so to fulfil social needs. Therefore, it is possible that fans interact with the Harry Potter series and its characters for escapism and to gain knowledge. The qualitative results of the study also suggests that breakup with a media figure can have a significant emotional effect, mainly due to the violation of expectation and the subsequent loss of that person’s work. Whilst the study is limited by low sample size, it does add to previous literature by further establishing the relationship between parasocial relationships and identification.